Trimming machine



Aug. 20, 1929. c. A. HAGMAN THINKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet w m m Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES CARL A. HAGMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

TRIMMING M'ACHINE.

Application filed December 6,1927.

This invention relates to cutting machinery, and more especially appertains to a device for trimming the corners of piled paper stock.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described, comprising a knife-carrying member guided by and in a work-supporting table Wherewith it coacts.

A supplementary object is the provision in a machine of the type specified, of a clampcarrying member actuated frictionally by and alongside of the member carrying the knife.

A further object is the production of a machine of the class mentioned having an equalizing element interposed intermediate the knife and clamp carrying members to distribute the pressure and friction therebetween.

Another object consists in providing a machine of the nature set forth with improved means for arresting the motion of the clampcarrying member in advance of the one which carries the knife.

A still further object is to furnish a machine of the species alluded to with novel means for simultaneously disconnecting the knife-carrying member from its drive and frictionally arresting the motion of this member at its highest point of travel.

Still another object is to produce a machine of the genus implied, including a combined knife guard and cutting gauge.

An additional object resides in producing a. machine of the kind referred to, which shall be of compact and practical construction; composed of few, simple and strong parts; generally dependable; readily assembled, adjusted or taken apart for inspection and repairs; besides amenable to low cost of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

lVith the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the said drawings FigureI is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention, certain details being omitted;

Serial No. 238,089.

Fig. II is a sectional elevation, the section being taken irregularly on the line 11-11 of Fig. IV;

Fig. III is an enlarged fragmentary side View of the upper part of Fig. II;

F g. IV is a top plan View of the machine;

F g. V is a rear elevation of the same; and

Fig. VI is a fragmentary side elevation of a detail appearing in Fig. V, parts being in section.

Generally described, the invention under consideration includes in its organization, a frame having a work-supporting table wherein are reciprocably guided primary and secondary members. A knife or cutter and a work holding clamp are respectively carried in overhanging relation from these members above the table. The primary member is actuated by a positive drive and cooperating with the latter are means for interrupting the movement of the last named member when the same reaches the uppermost point in its travel. A friction exerting device associated with both members, is adapted to transmit motion from the one thereof which carries the knife to the other or clampcarrying member. Coacting with this, the secondary member, is a buffer which acts to l mit the upward movement thereof relatively to that of the primary member. An element, interposed intermediate the members referred to, serves to distribute the pressure and friction therebetween. Sustained by the work-holding clamp, is a guard for the cutting edge of the knife, which guard is capable of being used as a gauge for aligning the work to be operated on, under the edge mentioned.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in the one and same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than I the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, upon becoming conversant with the details thereof. that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring now to these views for a detailed description of the invention, the numeral 11 denotes the frame of the machine in question, which frame comprises front and rear walls 12 and 13 respectively, the last named wall having an opening 14, normally closed by a cover (not shown). Included between the aforesaid'front and rear walls, are side walls 15, 16, forming therewith an enclosed structure, that rests on a base 17, and is surmounted by a table 18.

A drive shaft extends through the frame horizontally, being journalled in bearings 21, 22, which may be formed integrally with the side walls 15, 16, respectively. On one extremity of said shaft 20, at the side thereof adjoining the wall 16, there is mounted a clutch pulley 24 having an actuator 25. The latter is splined to the said shaft so as to be axially movable thereon into or out of engagement with the clutch mechanism of the pulley 24. To shift said actuator along the shaft 20, the former is provided with an annular groove wherein engages a yoke 26 affixed to a horizontal rod 27 that is slidably supported in the side walls 15, 16. Said rod 27 is in turn operated from a bell-crank lever 28 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a stud29 which is fastened to the front wall 12 of the frame. Endwise movement imparted to the rod 27 from one arm 30 of the bell-crank 28 when the latters other arm 31, is pushed down by the foot of an operator applied to a treadle 32 wherewith the last named arm is provided. T he first mentioned arm 30 is ordinarily maintained out of engagement with the actuator moving rod 27, by an expansible coil, spring 38 set between this arm and the adjacent side wall 15.

Mechanism set in motion by the drive shaft 20 is housed within the frame 11 of the machine and includes a pinion 35 secured to the said shaft. The teeth of this pinion are in mesh with those of a gear 36 fixedly mounted on the inner end of a stub-shaft 37. The latter is journalled in a bearing 38 that extends outwardly from the side wall 15, the hub of said gear being located in abutting relation to inside face of the last mentioned bearing. Secured to the shaft 20 adjacent its bearin 22 is a collar 39 enveloped for the .major part of its circumference by a brakeband 40. The end portions or stretches of this band extend in convergence one to the other on opposite sides of the shdable rod 27,

' being conjointly anchored at theirextremities by means of a screw 41, to the inner face of the front wall 12, as best seen in IV. A bolt l2 passed through the before named stretches, carries an adjusting nut between which and the adjacent stretch of the band is arranged a helical compression spring 43, capable of maintaining a uniform tension of the said band 40 on the brake collar 39.

Supported from a pad l5 projecting from that side of the gear 36 which faces the wall 15, is a roller 46. An arm 47, fixed to the rod 27 and connected up with the actuator 25, is formed with a bevelled, cam-shaped face 48 at the free or outer end thereof. The face in question, is designed to reach into the space between the side wall 15 and the gear 36, being disposedso as to lie in the path of the roller 46. When this roller contacts with the cam-face of the arm 47, it causes the latter to move the actuator 25 from the clutch pulley 2a to release the same. Simultaneously as this action takes place, the friction between the collar and the brake band, 39 and 40, respectively, serves to arrest the rota-tion of the shaft 20 as well as that of the gear 36, in a predetermined position.

A primary or knife-carr ing member 50 is operated by the drive mechanism referred to hereinbefore, being arranged for perpendicular reciprocation relative to and through the work-supporting table 18. Said member 50 is disposed in a vertical plane substantially median of the frame 11, adjacent to the rear thereof. This member extends vertically from above the said table and in proximity to the basal portion of the frame of the machine. Preferably and as shown, the member 50 consists of fiat, straight bar which mayv he rectangular in cross-section and disposed with one of its narrow sides facing the front of the machine, in order to attain the maximum strength and'rigidity therefor. Free sliding movement is afforded the said member in a bearing 51, which advantageously can be formed integrally with the work-table 18. A lower bearing 53, reaching inwardly of the frame 11 from the rear wall 13 thereof, is adapted to receive and guide the corresponding end of the aforesaid member.

For the purpose of transmitting rotary motion from the drive mechanism to the slidable primary member, studs 55, 56 projecting in offset relation from the counter-facing sides of this member and the driven gear 36, respectively, are coupled together by a connecting rod 57. It will be noticed that the stud is located a short distance above the lower end of the member 50, while the other stud is disposed eccentrically with respect to the centre of the main gear 36. At such times as the axes of the parts last referred to, are horizontally aligned on the near side of the member spoken of, the leverage exerted by the said stud 56 is the greatest, when also the connecting rod 57 assumes a practically perpendicu lar position, thus giving the best purchase for the power transmitted to the said member.

On the upper sidewise facing extremity of the last mentioned member, is mounted in overhung relation therefrom a bracketshaped head 59 having a jaw 60 depending from the latter. A knife or cutter 61 is held against this by bolts 62. Said knife 61 may be of any desired configuration, straight or curved depending upon whether the work to be trimmed is to have square or round corners. in order to compensate for wear'as well as for positioning the cutting edge of the knife at the proper angle and elevation, set screws 63 threaded through the top part of the jaw 60, are adjustable to bear on the upper edge of the said knife.

A secondary or clamp-carrying member 65 is arranged alongside of and in parallelism with the primary or knife-carrying member, and may in conformity with the latter, consist of a flat bar. The secondary member 65 extends likewise, with its upper end above the table 18, and is also slidably received in the bearing 51, being retained therein by a there- {go appertaining cap 52, common to both memers.

Interposed between the said primary and secondary carriers, is a pressure and friction distributing element 66, of fibre or other suitable substance. This element, or shoe, not only distributes the combined pressure and friction intermediate the aforesaid members, but retains also the lubricant employed, serving as well, to obviate jerky or uneven action therebetween when they are inter-relatively moved. Said element 66 has approximately the same length as the secondary member,

which is about two-thirds of that of the primary or knife-carrying member, but unlike the latter, does not engage its foot bearing 53. To apply the required amount of friction and pressure between the said members, suffi cient to drag or move the secondary along with the primary member, any suitable means, preferably of an adjustable type, is furnished. With this end in view, a stud bolt 67 is secured to the knife-carrying member 50, extending through aligned, elongated openings 68 in the element 66 and the other member 65, at a point substantially midway of its extremities. Acting against the outer or exposed side of the secondary member 65, and taking around said stud 67, is a friction disc 69, of leather or the like, which disc is backed by a metallic washer 70. Upon and against the latter bears a coil-spring 71, the pressure of which is adjusted by a nut 72 threaded onto the outer end of the said stud 67. From the foregoing it will be understood, that the pressure and frictional engagement of the disc 69 with the member 65 can be varied as required, and such pressure and friction is distributed and equalized between the coacting members, by the element 66.

Ailixed to the upper extremity of the secondary member, is a head 7% also of overhung bracket formation and provided with a depending leg 75. Formed with the lower portion of this leg is a foot 76, constituting together therewith a work-holding clamp. The latter is adapted to press down upon a stack of cards or labels placed thereunder upon the table 18. A knife aligning gauge, in the nature of a plate 7 7, is supported by means of a stem 78 which is slidably guided in a vertical direction through said head 7 4. To the upper terminal of said stem is fastened an operating knob 79 wherewith the aforementioned gauge can be depressed. Winding around the stem 78, intermediately of its knob 79 and the top of the head 7 4, is a compression spring 80, tending to hold said gauge 77 normally raised above the work. With the object of guarding the operators fingers, the lower end of the gauge is made to extend below the cutting edge of the knife in its idle or uppermost position.

In order to enable the overlying side edges of a pile of work laid on the table 18, to be aligned one with the other, guides 82 are supplied. These guides have basal flanges 83 that are slotted for adjustable connection to said table by bolts 81. Accordingly, when adjustment is made to bring the forwardly presented faces of the guides 82 into contact with the sides of the cards, labels or pages of a book the corners whereof are to be trlmmed, the gauge 77 is first depressed onto the work, to locate the knifes edge to a certain line thereon which the cut is to follow. It will be observed, with particular reference to Fig. III, that the rear face of the plate 77 coincides with front side of the knife 61, having rubbing engagement therewith. From what has been stated hereinbefore, it will be understood, that the edges of the gauge or the knife, when lowered, will for all practical purposes strike the same line on the work. Subsequent to making the aforesaid adjustment, the bolts 84 are tightened to permanently secure the side guides 82 in their assigned positions.

During the interval of time in which the cutting action takes place, the knife 61 moves downward relatively to the clamp 76. Therefore, to return the knife to initial position above the said work-holding clamp, the member 65, carrying the clamp, is arrested in its upward travel by a stop 86. The latter which may be on the order of a rubber bumper, is fastened to a ledge like support 87, which by preference is carried in overhung relation at the narrow, front side of the said secondary member. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. II, the aforementioned bumper is adapted to abut directly against the underside of the work table 18, thereby stopping further movement of the member last referred to.

Formed with the lower'portion of said support 87 and afiixed adjacent to the same extremity of the clamp-carrying member 65, is an attachment 88 which is connected to the support 87 by means of a strutlike arm 89. Attachment 88 is designed to embrace the narrow, front and rear sides of the latter, and having sliding engagement with the corresponding sides of the other or primary member 50. Thus, the secondary member is afforded a guide by the one carrying the knife, for interrelative movement therealong.

Transversely to the top and bottom terminals of the clamp carrier 65, and disposed on the side thereof apposed to its companion member 50, are lips 90, serving to retain the equalizing element against endwise displacement. The said element 66 which is capable of travelling with and in the same direction as the primary member, ceases to move when the motion of the secondary member is arrested, either by the inpingement of the clamp 7 6 upon the work on the downstroke, or during the upstroke, when the bumper 86 contacts with the underside of the table 18. To a certain extent, the element 66 contributes to the frictional engagement with the member 50, depending on the sidewise pulling force exerted by the spring 71.

In order to insure against premature dullness of the knifes cutting edge, a block 92, preferably of wood, is set into a recess provided therefor in the work-supporting table 18.

From the foregoing description, it will be come apparent that due to frictional coaction, the initial reciprocatory movement of the clamp-carrying member is coincident with that of the member carrying the knife. The upward travel of the secondary member is, however, terminated at the proper time so that the primary member continues to move upwardly until the cutting edge of the knife is above the work-holding clamp. Simultaneously to the knife reaching its uppermost position, the roller 45 has shifted the arm 4-7 and caused the actuator to release the clutch pulley 24:. l urthermore, the brake-band f0 functions to prevent overtravel of the gear 36, thereby contemporaneously retainin the knife and clamp carrying members elevated, so as to enable the operator to replace the cut with new work under the knife between the guides 82. Immediately the treadle 32 is again depressed, the arm of the bell-crank 28 pushes the rod 27 to bring the actuator into engagement with the pulley 24, thus starting up the shaft 20, pinion and the thereby rotated main gear 36. Thereupon both members conjointly'commence their downward movement, until the clamp 76 reaches the work stacked under it. Still, while the travel of clamp carrying member has now become interrupted, the dragging effect of the primary member upon the distributing element 66 and the therewith connected secondary member, in co-operation with the friction exerting disc and spring, 70 and 71 respectively, forces the clamp 7 6 sufficiently firmly onto the work,

that the cutting action of the knife thereon cannot disturb the same. The knife-carrying member completes its stroke and then returns, pulling the clamp carrier upwardly along with it, until the latters motion is arrested by the stop 86 in the manner hereinbefore pointed out.

' lVhile a certain preferred embodiment of this device has been shown and described, it

will be understood that changes in the form,

arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invent-ion what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim, is

1. A machine of the character described, including a pair of upright interrelatively movable bar members, knife and clamp carriers sustained side by side one each from the upper ends of the members, a vertically extended element interposed between said members distributing friction and pressure exerted thereon, and means for moving the member which carries the clamp by the movement of the other member.

2. A machine of the character described, including a pair of upright bar members movable side by side one relatively to the other, knife and clamp carriers sustained in overhanging relation one with respect to the other and in close adjacency to the upper ends of said members, a vertically extended pressure distributing element interposed between the said members, positive means for moving the member sustaining the knife carrier, and frictional means serving to transmit motion from the last named member to the member sustaining the clamp carrier.

3. A machine of the character described, including associated upright bar members movable one with respect to the other, knife and clamp carriers sustained close together and in overhanging relation one with respect to the other from opposite sides of said members adjacent their upper ends, positive means for moving the member sustaining the knife carrier, frictional means actuated by the last named member causing the same to move the other member, and an element extending vertically intermediate the said bar members serving to distribute friction and pressure therebetween.

4C. A machine of the character described. including interrelatively movable knife and clamp carrying members, a positive drive for moving the first named member comprising a crank element journalled in offset relation thereto, a connection between said element and said first member, said connection being disposed in parallelism with the knife carry ing'member and at right angles to the said element when the latter obtains its greatest leverage, and frictional means associated with the other member adapted to move the same from the member which carries the knife.

5. A machine of the character described, including a pair of upright, interrelatively movable bar members, knife and clamp carriers sustained thereby, a positive drive for the knife carrier sustaining member comprising agear having its axis in advance of said members, a connection alongside the latter pivotally coupling said gear and said knife sustaining member, a friction exerting device coacting with both members causing movement of the clamp sustaining member by the other member, and means for interrupting the motion of the clamp sustaining member.

6. A machine of the character described, including knife and clamp carrying members movable one relatively to the other, a positive drive for the first mentioned member comprising a driven gear journalled in front and to one side thereof, pins extending from apposed faces of said gear and said first mem ber, a rod connecting said pins converting rotary motion of the gear into reciprocatory movement of the first named member, means actuated by the said gear serving to terminate the motion of the first member at a predetermined point, a friction exerting device coacting with both members causing said first member to move the second one, and other means for interrupting the movement of the second member in advance of said first member, said other means being attached to the said sec 0nd member and afforded a guide along the said first member.

7. A machine of the character described, including upright bar members reciprocable side by side one with respect to the other, knife and clamp carriers sustained thereby, a power drive for the knife sustaining member disposed in front and to one side thereof, a vertically extended friction distributing element interposed between said members, a pressure device associated with both members capable of moving the one sustaining the clamp by the knife carrying member, and means for interrupting the movement of the clamp sustaining member in advance of the one carrying the knife, said means being located intermediately of the drive and said device in front of the said members.

8. A machine of the character described, including primary and secondary members slidable one relatively to the other, a work supporting table thru which the members are guided side by side, knife and clamp carriers overhung relatively to each other above said table close together from said members respectively, a drive for reciprocating said primary member to cause the knife to cut the work supported on the table, said drive being disposed at a level intermediately of the ends of the said members in forwardly and sidewise offset relation thereto, means for frictionally moving the secondary member by the primary capable of pressing the clamp onto the work in advance of and during the cutting operation, and a friction distributing element extending above and below the table between the members.

9. A machine of the character described, including associated knife and clamp carrying members movable one with respect to the other, said members consisting of flat bars having front and rearwardly facing edges, and means for interrelatively guiding the members, said means being attached to the side of the clamp carrying member and engaging the edges of the member carrying the knife.

10. A machine of the character described, including a work-supporting table, knife and clamp carriers movable relatively thereto, and a gauge for indicating the line of cut of the knife on the Work supported by said table, said gauge being mounted to move With the clamp carrier while capable of movement independently thereof.

11. A machine of the character described, including a knife and a clamp movable one with respect to the other, and means carried by said clamp adapted in one position to serve as a guard for the knife and in another position as a cutting gauge for the latter, said means being capable of independent operation relative to said first mentioned parts.

12. A machine of the character described, including a frame the upper surface whereof constitutes a work supporting table, there being a gap in the latter, knife and clamp carrying members guided in said gap, a connection between both of said members, a bearing for the lower end of the knife-carrying member extending inwardly of said frame, and means for imparting motion to the last named member applied thereto intermediately the gap and said bearing.

13. A machine of the character described, including a work table, members having reciprocatory motion thru said table, knife and clamp carriers overhanging the table frontwise from said members respectively, an arm reaching up along the clamp carrying member beneath the said table, and a buffer interposed between the latter and the upper end of said arm adapted to arrest the movement of the member which carries the clamp, said buffer being disposed in closer adjacency to the members than said knife and clamp earmere.

14. A machine of the character described, including knife and clamp carrying members movable alongside of one another, the last named member being provided with an elongated aperture, a positive drive for reciprocating the knife carrying member, a stud affixed to the latter having a clearance fit in the aperture of the other member, a friction washer taking around said stud in contact with the side of said other member, a spring bearing on said washer, a nut on the stud adapted to impinge upon said spring and acting to exert pressure on the members transversely to the direction of motion followed thereby, and an element interposed between the said members serving to distribute the forces exerted thereon by the said washer,

spring and nut.

CARL A. HAGMAN. 

